[Wing-nut2]

On Friday my wife and I signed a contract on a new house. On Saturday we went by the house and found The Villages was holding an Open House at our new house. I told the agent assigned to the open house that I had purchased the house the night before and I was surprised to see my house being used as an open house and did not appreciate the crowds of people tracking dirt etc. on the carpets. He told me it didn't matter what I wanted, the new policy was that any house under contract could be used for open houses up until closing. He stated The Villages feels that they are paying the electric bill and taking care of the grass, so it's theirs to use as they see fit. People saw the advertisement in the Daily Sun and expected to see the house advertised and were getting mad when told the house was no longer available. But even if they are allowed in, it's still sold. Attending previous open houses where a house becomes under contract has happened to me before, so I understand. But, the house under contract, was always closed and locked never open to view and another house was used for the open house.

I called my agent and explained what was going on, and asked why I was not informed of the new policy. My agent basically said the same thing that people wanted to see the house that was advertised and The Villages had an extreme housing shortage The advertising was sent to the paper in advance and the ad could not be changed. OK, so why not open another unsold house with the same floor plan? In fact, the house across the street from me is the same floor plan.

I understand that someone might want to see a Lantana for instance, but if the house is sold, why open it up to the public? It's not available for purchase anyway. There is a Model Center with all the floor plans available for people to see. With the housing shortage those models should always be open to the public not just a few.

Now some may say I'm wrong for even worrying about this issue, but I've seen open houses were people use bathrooms, climb on counters to check the tops of cabinets, bring their dogs and let them run free (we won't go there), holes punched in walls from door handles, trash thrown on floor, and all kinds of things tracked in. If you buy a house after it's been used as model, you know what you're getting.

So if you have recently purchased a house, you may want to check with your agent to see if your house is on the "rotation list" for open houses. Also check the Daily Sun to see if your house is advertised as being an Open House.

I'm repeating what the agent told me about The Villages new policy. This may or may not truly represent the policy of The Villages.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It seems that The Villages still owns the house until the closing and can do with it what they want. A lot of contracts are broken by both sides. What would happen, for example, if there was some severe and unrepairable damage to the house such as it getting hit by lighting or a tornado destroying it? You wouldn't take the loss, it would be The Villages.
Until the money and title are transferred, The Villages owns the house.

The potential buyers may not like it and I understand your frustration but I doubt that there is anything that you can do about it.

[retiredguy123]

I totally disagree. It's not your house until the closing. This applies to any house that is under contract, not just new houses. You have no control over the house until you own it.

Originally Posted by Wing-nut2

On Friday my wife and I signed a contract on a new house. On Saturday we went by the house and found The Villages was holding an Open House at our new house. I told the agent assigned to the open house that I had purchased the house the night before and I was surprised to see my house being used as an open house and did not appreciate the crowds of people tracking dirt etc. on the carpets. He told me it didn't matter what I wanted, the new policy was that any house under contract could be used for open houses up until closing. He stated The Villages feels that they are paying the electric bill and taking care of the grass, so it's theirs to use as they see fit. People saw the advertisement in the Daily Sun and expected to see the house advertised and were getting mad when told the house was no longer available. But even if they are allowed in, it's still sold. Attending previous open houses where a house becomes under contract has happened to me before, so I understand. But, the house under contract, was always closed and locked never open to view and another house was used for the open house.

I called my agent and explained what was going on, and asked why I was not informed of the new policy. My agent basically said the same thing that people wanted to see the house that was advertised and The Villages had an extreme housing shortage The advertising was sent to the paper in advance and the ad could not be changed. OK, so why not open another unsold house with the same floor plan? In fact, the house across the street from me is the same floor plan.

I understand that someone might want to see a Lantana for instance, but if the house is sold, why open it up to the public? It's not available for purchase anyway. There is a Model Center with all the floor plans available for people to see. With the housing shortage those models should always be open to the public not just a few.

Now some may say I'm wrong for even worrying about this issue, but I've seen open houses were people use bathrooms, climb on counters to check the tops of cabinets, bring their dogs and let them run free (we won't go there), holes punched in walls from door handles, trash thrown on floor, and all kinds of things tracked in. If you buy a house after it's been used as model, you know what you're getting.

So if you have recently purchased a house, you may want to check with your agent to see if your house is on the "rotation list" for open houses. Also check the Daily Sun to see if your house is advertised as being an Open House.

I'm repeating what the agent told me about The Villages new policy. This may or may not truly represent the policy of The Villages.

I wouldn’t be happy with strangers traipsing through my new house either. The Villages is more concerned with pleasing potential buyers than actual buyers like you.

[My Daily Run]

I purchased my second home here 6 years ago and when I put down the deposit it was made clear to me that they could still show the home till I the moment of purchase

[Bill14564]

I wouldn't like that either but there's probably not much you can do about it. You would think the seller would have more respect for their buyers but.....

Since you are purchasing a new property it should be in new condition when you take ownership. If the seller allows additional traffic through the house then it would make sense that they take the risk for any damage or additional wear that is caused. Pay extra attention on your pre-closing walkthrough to see that everything is perfect and document anything that is not.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I wouldn't like that either but there's probably not much you can do about it. You would think the seller would have more respect for their buyers but.....

Since you are purchasing a new property it should be in new condition when you take ownership. If the seller allows additional traffic through the house then it would make sense that they take the risk for any damage or additional wear that is caused. Pay extra attention on your pre-closing walkthrough to see that everything is perfect and document anything that is not.

Agree with the above. In this case I would be a VERY meticulous buyer at closing and make TV bring it to pristine condition at closing. No detail would be too small.

[Garywt]

The good thing is they will come in and clean it all before your closing. Anything you are not happy with, they will comeback and take care of. Congrats on the new house.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by npwalters

Agree with the above. In this case I would be a VERY meticulous buyer at closing and make TV bring it to pristine condition at closing. No detail would be too small.

As one should do on any new home walkthrough.

[TheLawnKing]

What about the subsequent "buyers" or the agent hosting the open house? Seems like a collosal waste of time for all involved parties. I'm curious what percentage of house contracts don't close. The over/under is 10% and I'm betting under.

[Ben Franklin]

Maybe in the future you can have them write into your sales agreement, that no more open houses allowed. Developers are the only entities that allow open houses after they have a signed agreement. Look at your sales contract. Does it say anything about allowing them to continue to hold open houses?

[MrFlorida]

It's worse in Michigan, where after you close, the people who sold it to you have up to 30 days to vacate it after the closing !!!! how's that for insane.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by John41

I wouldn’t be happy with strangers traipsing through my new house either. The Villages is more concerned with pleasing potential buyers than actual buyers like you.

It’s not your new house until closing. Plain and simple.

[charmed59]

The developer is using new houses under contract as model homes. This wouldn’t make much sense in a pre-owned home, as the realtor most likely doesn’t have a house just like it in their back pocket for any potential buyer.

[asianthree]

Friends looked at a home that they loved, but had gone under contract that morning. Their rep would look for the model elsewhere. This was the 5th home that sold literally as they walked through the door, site unseen, by someone. They returned back to Ohio.

So yesterday their rep called to tell them the sold home that they fell in love with 9 days ago, had just returned to the market he put it on hold, and they bought it.

The original people found a house and transferred to other home. So yep you don’t own it until you sign the closing paperwork. First available closing date is 6.5 weeks from now. Remember when you closed in 30 days and under.